Server or pitcher



Aug- 26, 1941 R. BERNHARD? l'2,254,164

SERVER 0R PITCHER- Filed Aug. 25. 1959 ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 26, 1941 1 claim.

This invention relates to servers or pitchers having caps or top portions provided with pouring spouts having cut-off or closure means. The invention is directed more particularly to the cap or top which is provided with a novel slide and means for detachably securing the slide to the top.

The objects of the invention are to improve the construction of such pitchers or containers with respect to the pouring or outlet portion; to provide a server or pitcher having a top or cap with a slidable closure and cut-off device, and means for holding such device so that it may be readily detached for cleaning; and to provide such other advantages and features as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the server with the improved cap or top shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is' a similar view showing the slide removed;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail showing one of the fastening buttons and washer before being assembled.

The container or pitcher 6 may be of any 'Y suitable size or shape and formed of any desired material. In the present instance it is indicated as being formed of glass and has a neck portion l provided with threads for engagement with the top or cap 8. This cap may also be made of any suitable material and for convenience may be made of a molded product of the phenolcondensation type. It is provided with threads 9 for engagement with the threaded neck and a gasket or washer I serves to make a tight clor sure. The cap as shown has an integrally formed handle II projecting downwardly and outwardly from one side so that it may be conveniently grasped by the hand of the user. An outlet opening or pouring spout I2 is formed in the top at the side opposite from the handle. The spout or opening is defined by a tapered front wall, parallel side walls I3 and a rear wall Ill,

the spout being cored out of the body at the top. D

The upper surface of the top or cap is substantially flat and has a transverse groove or depression I having parallel sides and converging or tapered at one end as shown at I'l. This provides a guideway for the combined slide and cut-off blade I1, which slides freely therein and 2,254,164 5 SERVER on PITCHER Rudolph Bernhardt, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 25, 1939, Serial No. 291,823

which is in sufciently close Contact with the upper surface adjacent to the spout to cut off any drip even if the pitcher is used for viscous liquids, syrup, honey or the like. The inner end of the slide is reduced or shaped as shown at I8 to t within the correspondingly shaped end of the recess so that the walls of the recess will serve as a stop to limit the movement of the slide in one direction. The slide or blade I1 has a downwardly extending projection or abutment I9 which may be formed integrally therewith but which preferably comprises the bent end of a strip 20 which ts in a groove 2l in the slide I1 and which is held in position by a rivet 22. The upper or outwardly extending end of the rivet is made in the form of a thumbpiece or ball 23 and serves for manipulating the slide. The projection I9 extends downwardly into a channel or recess 24 in the top or cap as best shown in Figures 3 and 4. One end of the recess is closed by the wall I 4 and the recess is substantially closed to the interior of the pitcher. The slide or blade I'l is urged to closing position by a spring 25 positioned in the recess Z, one end of the spring engaging with the projection I9 and the other end engaging with the opposite end 23 of the recess which serves as an abutment for the spring. The closing movement of the blade is limited by the striking of the projection I9 against the wall I4.

The blade I1 is held in the guideway by suitable holding means but preferably such as will permit the removal of the blade. For this purpose I provide pins or rivets 21 which extend through holes 28 in the top and which are provided with buttons or eccentric heads 29 which project over the blade when in holding position as shown in Figure 1, but which have flattened or narrower portions 30 which may be turned as shown in Figure 2 to release the blade. These heads have ridges or thumb-pieces 3I for turning the same. The lower or inner ends of the rivets engage with washers 32 which press against the lower or inner surface of the top as shown in Figure 4, these preferably being spring washers to hold the heads in adjusted positions.

Venting of the container for pouring purposes may be provided by a hole 33 through the bottom wall of the recess or channel 24 and another hole 34 leading from the channel to atmosphere, preferably at a point beneath the handle.

The operation of the device will be self-evident. When the pitcher is to be used, the handle il is grasped by the user with the thumb engaging the ball 23 which serves to draw the blade back to open position against the tension of the spring. During the pouring operation air will enter through the holes 34 and 33 and Will tend to prevent any of the liquid from entering the recess 24 while at the same time expediting the pouring. These pitchers are frequently used for honey, syrup or the like, and it may be desirable at times to thoroughly clean the same. By turning the buttons 29 to the position shown in Figure 2, the slide `or blade I1 may be removed and the spring 2-5 either left in position or also removed as desired. After the parts have been cleaned they may be re-assembled, and the buttons turned to fastening position.

Having thus described my invention, what I 15 ing position.

claim is:

A container having a cap portion with a handle projecting at one side thereof and a pouring spout positioned on the side opposite from the handle, a guideway in the upper surface of the cap, a closure blade slidably mounted in the guideway and having a projection extending into a channel provided therefor in the capi, a spring interposed between the projection and one end of the channel for moving the blade to closing position, a thumb-piece on the blade land buttons rotatably mounted on the cap and engaging with the blade to hold the same in the guideway when the buttons are turned to holding position and to release the same when turned to releas- RU'DOLPH BERNHARDT. 

